The First State of Being

When twelve-year-old Michael Rosario meets a mysterious boy from the future, his life is changed forever. From bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly, the winner of the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe and a Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, this novel explores themes of family, friendship, trust, and forgiveness. The First State of Being is for fans of Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me.

It's September 1999. For twelve-year-old Michael Rosario, life at Fox Run Apartments in Red Knot, Delaware, is as ordinary as ever--except for the looming Y2K crisis and his overwhelming crush on his sixteen-year-old babysitter, Gibby. But when a disoriented teenage boy named Ridge appears out of nowhere, Michael discovers there is more to life than stockpiling supplies and pining over Gibby.

Ridge is carefree, confident, and bold, things Michael wishes he could be. Unlike Michael, however, Ridge isn't where he belongs. When Ridge reveals that he's the world's first time traveller and isn't able to return home, Michael and Gibby are stunned. And determined to help. Meanwhile, Ridge is forced to navigate a strange new landscape of pay phones, allergies, and malls--none of which exist in his lifetime--and soon becomes like a big brother to Michael, the only child of a single mom.

When Michael unwittingly discovers a path home for Ridge, he's faced with a difficult decision: say goodbye to his only friend and let Ridge return to the future, or keep him in 1999, where they can grow up together?

A story of time travel, friendship, found family, and first loves, The First State of Being is a thematically rich story distinguished by its voice, memorable characters, and exploration of the issues that appeal to middle grade readers. An emotionally resonant story for fans of Rebecca Stead, Kate DiCamillo, and Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time.